Nature Center Manager

Pay Range: $ 85,611-$111,295

Job Posting Closing on: Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Workdays & Hours: 40 hours a week

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

The City of Fort Worth is seeking an experienced, dynamic and visionary Nature Center Manager to set direction and oversee mission-based natural history education programming and natural resource management initiatives at the 3,650+ acre Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R). 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Wildlife Biology, Environmental Education, Range Science, or a related field and five years of increasing experience in Nature Center or Natural Areas management, including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility, prescribed burning, environmental education programs, resource based recreation programs, natural areas land management operations, marketing and general public relations and one year of experience with firearm (handgun and rifle) safety, use, and maintenance.  
• Certificate of basic firearms training in handguns and rifles.  
• Valid Texas Driver’s License. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from accredited college or university with major course work Wildlife Biology, Environmental Education, Range Science, Forestry or a related field.
• Two years of experience working for or collaboratively with one or more non-profit partner organization(s) 
• Strong evidence of communication, marketing and promotion skills (experience with website management and marketing programs via social media; publications; 
• One year working with government, state and private landowners to conserve and improve land dwelling with minimal environmental damage.
• At least two years’ experience in ensuring stability of vegetation for wildlife habitats and creating opportunities for outdoor recreation.
• Two years of experience managing, maintaining or manipulating wildlife populations, habitats or human users to produce benefits for wildlife for wildlife and the general public.
• Current memberships in related professional environmental education and/or natural    resource management organizations
• Strong evidence of relationship building with community organizations, support groups, and/or volunteers 

The Nature Center Manager job responsibilities include:

• Provide management and oversight of all staffing, programming, resource management and facilities at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: personnel, budget, facility, assets, contracts, volunteers, partnerships, natural resources, programs and events, and customer relations management. 
• Manage and supervise staff to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained and follows policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; making hiring, termination, and disciplinary decisions or recommendations. 
• Manage business administration to include budget, finance, procurement, assets and the associated records.  
• Plan, develop and administer natural history-based programming for other professionals and the general public. Present public classes and guided hikes; assist in teaching classes for the Texas Mater Naturalist program; develop and/or make presentations at professional conferences and public events. 
• Establish and maintain effective communication between the Mayor, City Council, the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Board of Directors, and the Park & Recreation Advisory Board.  Prepare and make professional presentations as needed. Serve on external and internal boards, commissions and committees. 
• Serve as the liaison for the Nature Center & Refuge with other City of Fort Worth divisions, departments and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues. 
• Seek training for continuous improvement and education related to the position. 
• The successful candidate will be required to perform extensive public contact, demonstrate strong leadership abilities and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Job competencies include adaptability, flexibility, sound judgement and problem solving, planning and organizing, and people management. 

Working Conditions

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, repetitive motions, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling and lifting; depending on assignment. Incumbents may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting and intense noises.

Physical Demands

Medium work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.